In this article 6 sections
Yes: Costa Rica's official entry requirements say that all travelers must have a return or onward ticket. The Costa Rica Tourism Board's entry requirements state that you need a ticket for a return flight and that the immigration official may ask to see it when you arrive. Your airline can check it as well before it lets you board.
The same page names three situations in which a non-resident needs an onward ticket: arriving on a one-way ticket, holding a return ticket dated more than 90 days after arrival, or flying to Costa Rica and flying out of a different country. Our Costa Rica onward ticket page explains the temporary reservation option.
Which tickets count?
The official list is short. Each of these shows that you will leave Costa Rica, and the page adds that onward travel should show your next destination.
| Ticket | What it must show |
|---|---|
| Flight | A pre-purchased flight out of the country |
| Bus | A pre-purchased bus ticket out of the country |
| Cruise | Proof of passage on a cruise ship |
A domestic flight between two Costa Rican airports does not show that you will leave the country. For the difference between the two documents, read onward ticket vs return ticket.
How long can you stay?
The entry requirements say the maximum legal stay "will be determined by the immigration agent" when you enter. It depends on your nationality group: up to 180 days for the first group and up to 30 days for the others. Check your group on an official source before you choose an exit date, and after arrival rely on the stay stamped in your passport.
One detail catches long-stay travelers. A return ticket dated more than 90 days after arrival is on the official list of cases that need an onward ticket. If your flight home is later than that, ask your airline what it will accept before you leave for the airport.
What else can the officer ask for?
- a passport or travel document valid for the period set for your nationality
- a visa, if your nationality requires one
- proof of funds: the page sets a minimum of US$100 per month, or partial month, of legal stay
The page also recommends carrying a photocopy of your passport with the entry stamp during your stay.
Is a temporary reservation sufficient?
The official list speaks of pre-purchased tickets. A temporary flight reservation shows a planned route and a booking reference while it is active, but it is not a paid ticket. Do not assume that an unissued reservation satisfies the rule in every case. If your airline accepts a reservation for your route, confirm that it is still active when you present it.
A ticket with change or refund conditions that suit your plans can be an option when your route is still open. Compare the actual terms before you buy. You can review reservation options, but do not describe a temporary booking as a confirmed ticket.
Before you fly
- Check your nationality group and whether you need a visa on an official source.
- Decide how you will leave: flight, bus out of the country or cruise.
- Choose an exit date that fits the stay you expect to be granted.
- Ask the operating airline which document it accepts at check-in for a one-way arrival.
- Keep the ticket and your proof of funds available offline.
For a comparison of document types, read our complete proof-of-onward-travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the return ticket checked by the airline or by immigration?
Both can check it. The entry requirements say the immigration official may ask to see the ticket on arrival, and airlines review entry documents before boarding.
Does a bus ticket out of Costa Rica count?
Yes. A pre-purchased bus ticket out of the country is on the official list of accepted tickets. It should show the next destination.
My flight home is four months after I arrive. Is that enough?
Not by itself, according to the official list: a non-resident whose return ticket is dated more than 90 days after arrival needs an onward ticket. Ask your airline before departure.
How much money do I need to show?
At least US$100 per month, or partial month, of legal stay. The immigration official may ask to see proof of it.
Do I need a return ticket if I have a one-way flight and plan to leave by land?
You still need proof that you will leave. The official page lists a pre-purchased bus ticket out of the country as one of the accepted tickets.
Create a temporary flight reservation for visa files, airline checks, or proof of onward travel.